‘My constituents expect me to show up to work’: Redford should return to legislature, former deputy premier says

EDMONTON — Former deputy premier and potential PC leadership candidate Thomas Lukaszuk suggested Thursday that Alison Redford should return to the legislature — unless she is too ill to attend.

“I haven’t talked to her for months now but my constituents expect me to show up to work every day and that’s what taxpayers are paying me for,” Lukaszuk said in an interview.

“If there is a serious health situation, then I imagine my constituents would understand, but in the absence of that, there is a clear expectation that we show up to work and perform the duties that we’re elected to perform.”

Lukaszuk, who reiterated Thursday he is seriously considering running for the premier’s job, is the first Tory cabinet minister to publicly question the former premier’s absence.

He was replaced as deputy premier by Dave Hancock in Redford’s last cabinet shuffle in December.

Redford, MLA for Calgary-Elbow, hasn’t attended the legislature since she resigned from the premier’s post March 23 amid questions over travel expenses and her use of the government executive aircraft fleet.

Her office notified the legislature Speaker on Wednesday that she was absent under a clause that permits MLAs to miss sessions in the assembly due to illness or injury, bereavement or government duties. The specific reason has not been released.

Neither Redford, nor her spokesman, responded to a request for an interview.

I think it’s a shame. People should come to work for the days that we’re in session, but it really isn’t my call

Hancock, who was appointed premier on an interim basis until the party selects a new leader in September, continued to defend her absence on a Calgary radio talk show Thursday. He has maintained it is not his job to police the attendance of MLAs in the house.

Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith said Redford’s prolonged absence from the legislature is an issue between her, the premier, the Speaker and Redford’s constituents.

“I think it’s a shame,” Smith said. “People should come to work for the days that we’re in session, but it really isn’t my call.”